Template

ESSAY STRUCTURE

As with the Issue essay, there is no single “correct” way to organize an Argument essay.

Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)

Try to accomplish three goals in your introductory paragraph:

Briefly restate the argument in your own words.

Briefly trace the argument’s line of reasoning.

Indicate the extent to which the argument is logically convincing.

If possible, sum up your arguments in one sentence (or two brief sentences).

The following is a sample template for the first paragraph that accomplishes these goals:

The author concludes that____________, because ________. The author’s line of reasoning is that ______________. This argument is unconvincing for several reasons; it is____________ and it uses _____________.

First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

In the first body paragraph, your goal is to critique one of the following:

The reasoning of the argument

One of the premises of the argument

One of the assumptions of the argument

The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

First of all, ____________________________ is based upon the questionable assumption ________________________________. That _______________, however, _________________. Moreover, ________________________.

The purpose of the second paragraph is to address one of the following:

The reasoning of the argument

One of the premises of the argument

One of the assumptions of the argument

The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

Third (and optional Fourth) Body Paragraph

The following is a sample template for this paragraph that accomplishes this goal:

Finally, _______________________________________. The author fails to consider__________________________________. For example, __________________. Because the author’s argument _________________.

Final Paragraph (2-3 sentences)

In the final paragraph, your goals are to:

Summarize your critique of the argument

State the main point of your essay

The final paragraph is not the place to introduce new arguments or issues. Sample template:

In sum, I agree that______________________. However, ____________________; on balance, _____________________.

The numbers of sentences indicated for each paragraph are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.

Do not be a Parrot

The transitional phrases used here are purposely simplistic; do not simply “parrot” them word-for-word in your essay or adopt a fill-in the blank approach. If you do, your essay might appear stilted or contrived.